Bergie pleased to see back of 'dirty' Ruud

Dennis Bergkamp is relieved Ruud van Nistelrooy is out of tonight's clash at Highbury as the Manchester United striker is not only a "brilliant" player, but also "a little bit dirty".

Van Nistelrooy has certainly managed to rile the Arsenal squad after his leading role in the controversial clashes between the two sides over recent years.

He was accused of exaggerating his reaction to an attempted kick by Patrick Vieira at Old Trafford in 2003, leading to the Frenchman's second yellow card of the game.

Having been jostled by the Arsenal players following his penalty miss at the end of that game, he was suspended for three matches earlier this season for an ugly foul on Ashley Cole in the rematch.

Bergkamp describes his compatriot as a "nice guy", but observed that "like a lot of Dutch players, there is a darker side to him".

He added: "I have had moments myself in my career. On one side he is a brilliant footballer but on the other a little bit dirty, like a lot of us.

"It is difficult for the opponent to deal with that. You find that many strikers have this mean side to them - a side which, in some ways, they have to have. It helps them stand their ground but it can look clumsy."

Bergkamp: We've moved on

The fact that van Nistelrooy is ruled out of tonight's clash at Highbury due to injury could at least reduce tensions ahead of the game, although Bergkamp insists Arsenal are not out for revenge.

He told a newspaper: "I admire the way Ruud plays football. He is a good player and for that reason it is important that he doesn't play.

"Do I think we would react more if he was on the pitch? I don't think so. If you look at our team, there are so many professionals.

"We have moved on from there. And I guess they have moved on as well. We are not looking for revenge but a good game and a good result."